Might get picked, but it is not clear cut.
The Reyes Cup
- Thread starter Bob Jewett
- Start date
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The post I made that you highlighted was made before Day 4 began. Based on my observations, I feel Team Europe did not have the same unity or team spirit as Team Asia. But, of course, everybody sees things differently, I guess. I know that the Team Europe I remember when Coach Johan was the captain was a much different Team Europe than what I saw in the Reyes Cup. That is the thought that forms my opinion.
Team Asia, on the other hand, was supporting each other through and through. Johan Chua was helping Efren every step of the way. In fact, when Efren was being interviewed, Johan stood by his side to make sure he understood the English words okay. Interviewers sometime speak too fast, when interviewing people that English is their second language. Team Asia members were hanging on every shot of each match. It was pretty cool to see.
Team Europe on Day 4 had a different vibe about them than the previous days, again, in my opinion. Maybe your definition of "team unity" and mine are different, and that's okay. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
Please read Post No. 316 in this thread and look at the time of that post that I made and the tine of the one you highlighted that I made. One was before Day 4, and one as after Day 4 begin when David Alcaide won his match.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes it helps to read the entire thread, though I know how time-consuming that can be. I am guilty of that myself.
I think pre « wpa..gate » Filler makes a big difference. I know Kraus and Kaci got in on points but Kaci was due to one tournament and kraus doesn’t look like he had much of a team personality. At least Josh is fired up. Him Jason fsr maybe alcaide because of his rapport with fsr and a long shot (Neils) would have given them a run for their moneyMy guess was Filler would have been good for +2.5 points for Europe at the most. Who ever replaced him was worth +1. So the net loss of no Filler would have been -1.5 points.
Ofc this is strictly a guess, I don’t look at the details after the even to see how those numbers actually shook out. But in a team format one player isn’t going to win an event that was this lopsided.
Having said that, by looking at the rankings beforehand Europe seemed the favorite.
I’d discount home court a bit because they were in Hanoi the past 10-12 days as well, so not much jet lag. Also when you travel often jet lag isn’t as big of a factor. This past year I’ve flown 175,000 miles and I’m immune to jet lag at this point. I’d imagine it’s the same for most people.
Always like to hear your thoughts Bob, your experience and knowledge are as good as anyone.
Best
Eric
agree. filler, jayson, ouschan, alcaide, feijen would be the best team imo. but if players get in on points you don't always get the best team for a short race, high pressure, team player format.
kazakis is a good example.. but also skyler, as the opposite example. sky hasn't always qualified in points but he's very well suited for the format.
I think the Asians had more pride for their culture / countries. Also playing for Efren. In the Philippines and Asia you must understand how highly loved Efren is. Efren is a national symbol...everyone there knows of him.
Thanks Bob. I've made this same point several times to the powers that be at one or two prominent networks. I flat out told them I could do the job better. Alas, I never got the job, lol. That's one reason why Accu-Stats videos are so popular. The director (Pat Fleming) knows Pool!
Notes on the final day:
The big surprise, to me, was the much larger and very noisy crowd. Not just fans cheering on the Asian players. But a large contingent on the European side. We saw a hint of this on Day 3, but Day 4 was excellent on TV. Shades of Mosconi.
The first match, Chua vs Alcaide, was one of the best of the week. Chua made a few mistakes early on, but appeared to take control going up 4-3. Alcaide then had a golden break with the 9 ball just barely, barely, tipping into the side pocket. Chua put the one ball - and cue ball - into the pocket on his next break and Alcaide ran out.
Match two pitted Krause and FSR vs. Ko and Duong. The Europeans communicated well, but FSR made several costly mistakes as he did all tournament. Ko was at his very best and Duong made some tough shots. Ko did bail him out a few times, though. A 5-2 Team Asia win.
Matches 3 and 4, Jayson Shaw played loose and handily beat both Biado and Duong in back-to-back singles matches, 5-3 and 5-2.
Biado actually had a chance to take the lead in game 7, but blew a long, straight 2 ball. Shaw never gave him much chance after that.
Showman Shaw was at his best antagonizing self - he would not have looked out of place on a WWF stage.
In the final match, Yapp was all business and beat FSR 5-1. Unlike the first day, Yapp didn't seem nervous, but he was intent on closing it out. Asked afterward what he was thinking, he smiled and laughed and said "nothing."
He didn't even crack a smile when his gleeful teammates shouted and pounded him on the back. It was kind of funny.
The big surprise, to me, was the much larger and very noisy crowd. Not just fans cheering on the Asian players. But a large contingent on the European side. We saw a hint of this on Day 3, but Day 4 was excellent on TV. Shades of Mosconi.
The first match, Chua vs Alcaide, was one of the best of the week. Chua made a few mistakes early on, but appeared to take control going up 4-3. Alcaide then had a golden break with the 9 ball just barely, barely, tipping into the side pocket. Chua put the one ball - and cue ball - into the pocket on his next break and Alcaide ran out.
Match two pitted Krause and FSR vs. Ko and Duong. The Europeans communicated well, but FSR made several costly mistakes as he did all tournament. Ko was at his very best and Duong made some tough shots. Ko did bail him out a few times, though. A 5-2 Team Asia win.
Matches 3 and 4, Jayson Shaw played loose and handily beat both Biado and Duong in back-to-back singles matches, 5-3 and 5-2.
Biado actually had a chance to take the lead in game 7, but blew a long, straight 2 ball. Shaw never gave him much chance after that.
Showman Shaw was at his best antagonizing self - he would not have looked out of place on a WWF stage.
In the final match, Yapp was all business and beat FSR 5-1. Unlike the first day, Yapp didn't seem nervous, but he was intent on closing it out. Asked afterward what he was thinking, he smiled and laughed and said "nothing."
He didn't even crack a smile when his gleeful teammates shouted and pounded him on the back. It was kind of funny.
Just as with the Mosconi some folks are getting WAAAAY to hyped-up over this. Look, the reality is it was a fun show but in three days no one will remember, or care, what happened. This match/show/exhibition will not change the pool landscape one iota. I watched some delayed games and it was entertaining i guess but not earth-shattering drama as some seem to feel here. To each his own i guess. Ooops, my ramen noodles are ready. Out........................
Player ratings:
ASIA
Yapp, A-plus. The best and most consistent player on Asia. He was nervous as hell the first day, but steady as a rock on the final one. He has one of the nicest short draws on the circuit. Great weapon.
Ko, B-plus. He was a bit shaky on day one, but by day two settled down. He bailed out teammates on position play and was a steadying force.
Duong, B-plus. The most doubted player coming into the tournament was strong the first two and a half days. He faltered a bit toward the end, but made some really tough shots over all four days. He seemed to improve a lot tactically from even just a few months ago.
Biado, B. Carlo ran hot and cold. He was nervous a bit playing at home, but clearly had a lot of fun. Some big Biado moments, and some bad misses on long balls. One of the announcers kept commenting on how the only flaw in his game, relatively speaking, is long shots. Biado missed at least 3-4 long straight shots over the four days.
Chua, B. He didn't play much and lost all three singles and doubles matches he was in. Made some of the best shots of the tourney, but wasn't as flawless as he was in Hanoi. Still played well, but didn't shine.
EUROPE
Shaw, B-plus. He was great the final day with two singles wins, but he had two costly misses in the first three days that cost his team points. Best player by far on Europe.
Alcaide, B. Hard to pick the next best player, but Alcaide did win the other singles match on the Euro side. Made a few big errors like all his teammates, but was a bit steadier.
Krause, C. Didn't play much, but didn't make as many bad mistakes as his teammates when he was out there. His bold carom win on the 9 in the very first team match prevented a much deeper Euro loss.
Kaci, C-. Didn't look like himself and was not confident. Lost handily in singles to Duong on day one and had no wins except in the team match.
FSR, D. Good teammate and great player, but he was arguably the weakest link on Team Europe in the 2023 Mosconi and he was the weakest link in the Reyes. Did take part in a doubles win and played a lot, but he made more key shot or positioning mistakes than anyone on Europe. His odd safety in the final singles match vs Yapp allowed Yapp to hit a 2-9 combo. Bizarre.
ASIA
Yapp, A-plus. The best and most consistent player on Asia. He was nervous as hell the first day, but steady as a rock on the final one. He has one of the nicest short draws on the circuit. Great weapon.
Ko, B-plus. He was a bit shaky on day one, but by day two settled down. He bailed out teammates on position play and was a steadying force.
Duong, B-plus. The most doubted player coming into the tournament was strong the first two and a half days. He faltered a bit toward the end, but made some really tough shots over all four days. He seemed to improve a lot tactically from even just a few months ago.
Biado, B. Carlo ran hot and cold. He was nervous a bit playing at home, but clearly had a lot of fun. Some big Biado moments, and some bad misses on long balls. One of the announcers kept commenting on how the only flaw in his game, relatively speaking, is long shots. Biado missed at least 3-4 long straight shots over the four days.
Chua, B. He didn't play much and lost all three singles and doubles matches he was in. Made some of the best shots of the tourney, but wasn't as flawless as he was in Hanoi. Still played well, but didn't shine.
EUROPE
Shaw, B-plus. He was great the final day with two singles wins, but he had two costly misses in the first three days that cost his team points. Best player by far on Europe.
Alcaide, B. Hard to pick the next best player, but Alcaide did win the other singles match on the Euro side. Made a few big errors like all his teammates, but was a bit steadier.
Krause, C. Didn't play much, but didn't make as many bad mistakes as his teammates when he was out there. His bold carom win on the 9 in the very first team match prevented a much deeper Euro loss.
Kaci, C-. Didn't look like himself and was not confident. Lost handily in singles to Duong on day one and had no wins except in the team match.
FSR, D. Good teammate and great player, but he was arguably the weakest link on Team Europe in the 2023 Mosconi and he was the weakest link in the Reyes. Did take part in a doubles win and played a lot, but he made more key shot or positioning mistakes than anyone on Europe. His odd safety in the final singles match vs Yapp allowed Yapp to hit a 2-9 combo. Bizarre.
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Neil’s is a great team player. With both of them not there, that’s a big loss for the team.
now with the luxury of hindsight it’s very clear
They cross market well. 2 exhibition shows a year. Yay, I want noodles now
I sort of disagree. The one huge problem I think Matchroom has with their WNT vision is that they are just replicating the same game -- Nine Ball, on the same gray clothed table, at different locations, and doing it over and over. As a fan, they are already beginning to blend together in my mind. I think they HAVE to mix things up somehow to keep things fresh and interesting. Adding this event alongside the Mosconi and the World Cup of Pool may just be what they need to diversify their calendar.
I’ve noticed this as well. There are many capable people for this job, doesn’t require a champion to be a good director
With the wrong color balls……as well
Here comes Eeyore, err, I mean, Garczar!
The opening team match on day one turned out to be very high drama, but after that, it was just an entertaining four days of pool. And that's all I really want from the event.
I personally find the Mosconi the most entertaining pool event of the year because of the crowd and the chance for players to show their personality. You always complain they lack personality.
As for me, I will remember the first Reyes Cup. Because it was the first in what I hope becomes a long tradition.
When you get back from your ramen, I would like to know if you think the Mosconi Cup has had no influence on the pool landscape over the last few decades. Do you really think it is a mere exhibit of no consequence?
Sure seems to me the MR removal of Filler from the Reyes has not been inconsequential. And the Mosconi clearly has factored into the reps and/or financial success of lots of players like SVB, Skyler, Feijin and others.
Clearly players want to play in the Mosconi and that dictates which and how many tourneys they participate in.
The same could happen with the Reyes. More Asia players might enter more tournaments around the world that they have been eschewing. That would increase the quality of the draw for matches you do view as consequential.
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kaci hadn't played for months, got there, played like crap and then said the asians got lucky. D- for me
My $.02: this was an EXHIBITION pure and simple. They all got the same $$ and zero ranking points were involved. These things 'might' bump the 'watch-o-meter' for pool fans but not much. I've talked to quite a few in my local spot about the RC and not ONE knew what i was talking about. Like i said, in a couple days it will be as if it never happened.
Kaci is that kind a guy who just say what he thinks. Straigth up.
FSR switching from a lifetime of Predator to Cuetec…. I still think he is underperforming due to his cue.